After discovering in the morning that its head coach, Willie Spears, had been suspended with pay, a rally — planned for several days — was hosted at Myrtle Grove Park.

Tuesday morning, Escambia County Superintendent of Schools, Malcolm Thomas, made clear the parameters of Spears' suspension.

"He's not able to be on campus or have any contact with employees or students until the investigation has been completed," Thomas said. "He's not allowed to be at practice or be on the sideline."

Spears said that he was not blatantly told he couldn't go to the rally, but that he was advised to not attend.

Suspended Escambia High football head coach Willie Spears speaks to hundreds of supporters on Tuesday. Spears, who was suspended with pay on Tuesday morning for improper conduct, is denying all allegations against him and his program. (Photo: Ben Twingley)

Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears speaks to hundreds of supporters Tuesday night during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church. Coach Spears and six of his players were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Dozens of Escambia High School students and parents gather in support of head football coach Willie Spears, who was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an Escambia County Schools investigation, on Tuesday night. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Hundreds of Escambia High School students and parents gather in support of head football coach Willie Spears, who was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an Escambia County Schools investigation, on Tuesday night. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Hundreds of Escambia High School students and parents gather in support of head football coach Willie Spears, who was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an Escambia County Schools investigation, on Tuesday night. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@Pnj.com)

Suspended Escambia High football head coach Willie Spears speaks at tonight's rally. Spears, who was suspended with pay on Tuesday morning for improper conduct, is denying all allegations against him and his program. (Photo: Ben Twingley)

Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears speaks to hundreds of supporters Tuesday night during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church. Coach Spears and six of his players were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

People bow their heads in prayer during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday in support of Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears and six of his players were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. Spears and parents of the players each spoke to refute the alegations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Escambia High School band members Anna Sprissler and David Moore gather with a crowd at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday during a rally for football coach Willie Spears and six of his players who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears speaks to hundreds of supporters Tuesday night during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church. Coach Spears and six of his players were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears speaks to hundreds of supporters Tuesday night during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church. Coach Spears and six of his players were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Korbaja Smith gathers with others at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday for a rally in support of Escambia High School football coach Willie Spears and six of his players who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Anthony Stoeter gathers with others at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday for a rally in support of Escambia High School football coach Willie Spears and six of his players who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Commissioner Lumon May, right, attends a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church on Tuesday in support of Escambia High School football coach Willie Spears and six of his players who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

James Mayberry Snr. speaks about his son, James Mayberry, who was involved in an investigation with five other Escambia High School students and head football coach Willie Spears due to possible recruiting violations related to athletics. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Escambia High School students, from left, Lexy Krempin, Tara Skipton and Airamis Perezhead join a couple hundred supporters Tuesday during a rally at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church for footballcoach Willie Spears and six of his players who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

Kevin Miller speaks during a rally Tuesday evening for Escambia High School head coach Willie Spears and six of his players, including Miller's son Terik Miller, who were involved investigation due to possible recruiting violations. (Photo: Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj.com)

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"Whatcan they do?" Spears asked. "The winningest college football coach of all time — Bobby Bowden, he was fired. Tony Dungy, great coach that won the Super Bowl — fired. Joe Paterno, he was fired — it's part of the job.

"If I didn't come, these kids would have said, 'You (Spears) don't care about us.' I gave my word that I was gonna be here. They should have told me before we planned the rally."

Spears allowed the parents of the six players in question to speak to the rally and tell their side of the story. Several parents said they found the interrogation process inappropriate, generalizing it as police-style questioning.

Joe Everette, father of receiver Joey Everette, spoke to the rally about the interrogation process his son went through.

"My son was taken into a room with two officials, no supervision," said Everette, father of the West Florida transfer. "When I went to talk to an investigator, it was kind of strange. I was given a paper full of charges and I asked, 'What's that? What's this?'

"They kept telling me to write a statement in the report. I wasn't given a clear answer. No one ever asked me why we came to Escambia."

James Mayberry shared a success story about his son, James, a Pine Forest transfer.

"I don't know why James wasn't motivated at Pine Forest, I just know that he wasn't motivated," the elder Mayberry said. "He played football pretty much the whole year on a fractured pelvis. Coaches belittled him and said he was soft. Come to find out he had a fractured pelvis.

"Now, his grades are better. He's more motivated to get up and go to school. So to coach Spears and his staff, hats off to you."

In addition to the parents, Escambia teacher of the year Trish Andrews had kind words to say about Spears.

"I had no idea the excitement coach Spears would bring to this school," Andrews said. "I have great respect for him. He has impressed me with his integrity and his desire to motivate."

Mike Davis, former defensive coordinator, will step in as interim head coach Friday as the Gators play host to Panama City Mosley.

Thomas said Spears was suspended with pay for employee misconduct, though he declined to elaborate on the nature of the misconduct.

"Once I know all the facts, a decision will be made based upon the facts," Thomas said of the investigation.

He did indicate, however, that he expected the investigation to be resolved shortly.

"I don't think this is a complex investigation," Thomas said. "It should be really simple. This is a matter of days or a week. I don't think that's protracted.

"We're going to move along with this investigation as quickly as we can, as we do in all matters. That time can vary depending on how the investigation proceeds."